Before the morning's activities got underway, the only person Iglehart knew at Tesoro was his older brother. The 14-year-old's family recently relocated from Palm Desert, and Iglehart was a little comforted to learn that upperclassmen soon would lead him on a campus tour and introduce him to his homeroom classmates.

Later in the morning, sophomores, juniors and seniors pranced down a runway in the school's gym, showcasing apparel – combat boots, short shorts, baggy sweatpants and bandanas – that violates school dress code. And administrators, including new Principal Marc Patterson, introduced themselves to the 650-member class of 2017.

The tour and the what-not-to-wear fashion show are part of Tesoro's Impact program. The program's 130 members were selected from 300 applicants to mentor freshmen throughout the year. Orientation won't be the last time Iglehart and fellow freshmen hear from the upperclassmen.

They will meet with the freshmen in their homerooms every other Monday, offering resources and advice on, for example, how to improve their grades or how to get involved in planning the homecoming dance. They will meet them for lunch and put on pre-football game activities such as haunted mazes and barbecues.

The mentors are led by 24 students enrolled in a peer-assisted leadership class taught by Alyssa DiSomma.

“We have a very specific focus … to get freshmen assimilated into Tesoro,” DiSomma said.

Senior Adam Day is in Impact. He's a 17-year-old from Coto de Caza who during orientation taped a neon pink flier to his T-shirt that read “Need Help? Lost?” He fielded questions from excited but jittery freshmen about what the school year would be like, and tried to convince them to join sports teams and clubs.

“It's going to be fun!” he said, trying to reassure them.

Several freshmen said they have a lot to look forward to: new friends, themed dances, pep rallies and big football games. Still some, including water polo players who walked onto campus Friday with longtime friends and teammates, were daunted.

“We're back on the bottom of the totem pole,” said Indigo Dumhart, 14, of Trabuco Canyon.

Tesoro High School senior Christine Compania, 17, gives fellow senior Kate Custer, 17, a leg up as they help assemble freshmen Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro High School Impact program students show off the type of prohibited clothes that will send a student home during a "Not To Wear Fashion Show" Friday, Aug. 30 at freshmen orientation. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro High School Principal Marc Patterson addresses freshman from the class of 2017 on Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro High School senior Logan Myers, 17, bites into a donut as he works to assemble freshman Friday, Aug. 30. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro High School junior Avery McCusker, 16, directs a freshman Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro High School IMPACT students show off types clothes that violate the school's dress code in a "Not To Wear Fashion Show" Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, during freshmen orientation. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
About 130 Impact program members came out Friday, Aug. 30, 2013 to help the incoming freshmen class of 2017 at Tesoro High School. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
The Tesoro High School class of 2017 en route for a guided tour of the campus Friday, Aug. 30, 2013. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Members of Tesoro High School's cass of 2017 leaves the gym during orientation Friday, Aug. 30, 2013 for a guided tour of the campus. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro High School cross country team captain Scott Curran, 17, encouraged freshman on Friday morning, to come out for tryouts promising, "It will make you mentally and physically tougher and it's fun!"DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER
Tesoro girls basketball team Captain Lea Wodach, 17, invited freshmen girls Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, to try out for this year's basketball team. DAVID BRO, FOR THE REGISTER

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